Library News

Scholastic Book Club – Issue 4

Thank you to those families who continue to support our school through making of purchases from Book Club. Issue 4 orders were distributed to students early this week. As always, if there’s any issues with any items, please let us know. Although issues don’t happen often, there’s always the exception and a solution is bound to be found.

Book Reviews

Following on from our last newsletter, where Heather Zubek, the School & Community Liaison Officer from Collins Booksellers Croydon, conducted a session on the 100-word “Hamburger Method” of book reviewing, here is a sample of reviews written by our students based on the books they were given:

Nerds vs Aliens by Barry Jonsberg

Book Review by Alyssa C.

‘Nerds vs Aliens’ by Barry Jonsberg was a funny read full of action and humour! 

3 average 11-year-old nerds start getting messages from aliens orbiting the star HD219134, twenty-one point six light years away from Earth, via fridge magnets. They find that the future of Earth is in their hands, and also their lazy dog, Oddjob.

Jonsberg wanted to write an accessible story that would spark the interest of both confident and reluctant readers. It would be perfect for readers 8–11 years-old. 

If you like humorous and out of this world stories, then Nerds vs Aliens is definitely for you!!!

This is Not The Diary of Izzy Dobson by Abigail Balfe

Book Review by Paige N.

‘This is Not the Diary of Izzy Dobson’ is quite funny. Following her time at school, lonely and overwhelmed by bullies (but mostly one), Abigail Balfe is a queer auDHD author-illustrator and Emmy award winning creative based in Brighton, Victoria, Australia. 

‘This is Not the Diary of Izzy Dobson’ is based on Balfe’s childhood, Izzy being a 12 year old who has autism and ADHD but doesn’t know it yet. This would be a good book for kids from the age 8-11, or people who like a good laugh. It’s the best book you’ll ever read.Have fun!

The Lonely Lunch Club / The Missing Pencil Case

Book Review by Edward C.

This two-story book is very handy because it is two in one, so you do not have to run around trying to find the other. One is a mystery about a girl called Lea that loses her pencil case and tries desperately to find it. Can her cousin Jaya help find it? Or you can read about Benji in The Lonely Lunch Club. Benji normally plays football but for some reason he goes to an old bench instead. Will his new friends cheer him up? 

I personally think that someone who enjoys easy reading mystery stories will enjoy this book.

Floating by the Clouds by Mohammad Awad

Book Review by Erin L.

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. It is a picture story book aimed at children 4 to 10 years of age.

I enjoyed how the illustrations matched the wording. It really helped me to understand the book when I read it independently. 

When at a library or book shop browsing for books, the clouds and the spine are a refreshing pop of colour, which would draw me to choose this book.

Young children will enjoy looking at the pictures. Their understanding of the story will depend on a parent reading and explaining the story to them.

By all accounts everyone has enjoyed reading the books they were given! We’ll include more of our book reviewers work again next term to introduce some of the wonderful library books we have on our shelves to you all.

Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year:

We’re already thoroughly looking forward to next term. The CBCA shortlisted books will be shared during library sessions, where we will explore their merits and consider which titles the judges may select as winners. This will take place over the first six weeks of the term, leading up to Book Week and all that it entails—including celebrations around this year’s theme, “A Symphony of Stories.” We will then round it all off with our annual Book Fair. As always, the school will be a hive of activity!

Till next time, happy holidays and reading everyone!!

Karin Sansom

Library